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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the chance to make a statement under the lights on Sunday night.
Instead, Tom Brady and Co. laid an egg.
The Buccaneers, who entered Week 9 with a three-game winning streak, were crushed by NFC rival South New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay tallied just 194 yards on total offense as it lost 38-3 to the Saints, who sealed a teams regular-season series sweep.
The eruption marked the worst differential point loss of Brady’s career. The 43-year-old struggled hard against New Orleans, making 22 of 38 attempted passes for 209 yards without touchdowns and three interceptions. The Saints also gave Brady back to fits in Week 1 when Drew Brees and Co. claimed an 11-point victory at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
After the game, head coach Bruce Arians was asked if he was concerned about Brady’s worst performance this season against stronger opponents. The Arians didn’t sound too worried, but he didn’t ignore the question either.
“I think that’s how you are usually judged,” Arians said, according to a transcript provided by the team. “We were pretty good against Green Bay and really bad against New Orleans.
Don’t look now, but righting the ship won’t be easy for the Bucs. On deck, a clash with the annoying Carolina Panthers, followed by a prime-time tilt with the defensively tough Los Angeles Rams. The Bucs will then host defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12.
The skies, of course, are not falling in Tampa Bay, but maybe the Bucs were prematurely crowned NFC favorites.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement / USA TODAY Sports Images
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